Obituary of George Kesich
George Kesich
George Kesich passed away peacefully at the age of 98, on Friday, January 26, 2018, at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center. He was born on September 3, 1919 in Joliet and raised in Lockport, IL. He proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. He fought in Bougainville at Solomon Island in the Pacific. He was a Buck Sergeant with the 37th Infantry Division and received the Bronze Star for heroic achievement.
George is survived by one brother, Alex Kesich; two sisters, Olga Schumann and Nettie Astorino; sister-in-law, JoAnn Honiotes; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his beloved wife, Marsoulla "Mary" (nee Honiotes) Kesich (2011); his parents, Peter and Helen Kesich; and five brothers, Donald, Danny, Mike, Nick, and Eli Kesich.
George was an avid reader. He loved astronomy and always wanted to know about the solar system and the universe. He loved Greek history and Greek culture. George found so much pleasure in being around nature, and loved planting all kinds of flowers and vegetables. The joys of seeing what he had planted brought him close to God.
George was very capable and meticulous in doing almost anything. He knew about construction, plumbing, electricity, painting, gardening; a true “Jack-of-all-trades”. George worked as a skilled crane operator at Caterpillar for many decades. The company valued his expertise.
George was a quiet, gentle person. He had two mottos: “Silence is Golden” and “You learn more from listening than from talking”. He had a transparent honesty and complete harmony in what he thought and did.
George Kesich will Lie in State on Thursday, February 1, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway, Joliet. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Army. George was a faithful member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church and in lieu of flowers, memorials to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church would be appreciated. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
